top >> site 12: Dharma Essays & Poems >> Marcus Cumberlege - Poems
| Introduction | |
| 1 | The Unborn |
| 2 | Domestic Shrine |
| 3 | Amida's Mind |
Marcus Cumberlege's self-introduction:
My father and grandfather were English sailor-poets, my mother was Canadian.
I was born in France 66 years ago and was raised in England and Ireland
(Oxford University). I spent 3 early years in Peru, teaching and sheep
farming. In the 60’s I worked in London, married, had one daughter, and
published my first volume, winning the national prize for under 30’s.
It was during these years that I was attracted to the Zen Buddhism of the
American Beatnik poets. I moved to Brugge in 1972, remarried and led a
dissolute life which landed me in a psychiatric hospital. Reading Dr. Suzuki’s
Essays on Zen Buddhism very closely, I came “by chance” upon the phrase
“Namu Amida Butsu” which turned my mind over completely.
I stopped
drinking and established contact with Jiko-Ji, the Shin temple in Antwerp, of which I am now an active and
confirmed member. I have published 18 collections of poetry. The poems here
presented are from “Jaia or Just As I Am”, self-published this year with
generous support from Amida. Copies available from:
Ji-Shin
Marcus Cumberlege, Eekhoutstraat 42, B-8000 Brugge
(Belgium)
| 1 | The Unborn |
Having realized the Unborn
We tread the Pure Land path,
Faces turned
towards the West,
Strengthened by Amida's Vow.
Conscious of the sacred Norm
We hear the call more clearly
Namu Amida
Butsu
Flowing from the Land of Bliss.
Undisturbed by fear and joy,
Marked with non-duality,
We board the boat
of Other Power
And leave samsara's shore behind.
| 2 | Domestic Shrine |
There are times when the kitchen
Is a place of peace and prayer,
A
sanctuary where I come
To myself a Buddhist shrine.
There are times when the
kitchen
Is a place of peace and prayer,
A sanctuary where I come
To
myself a Buddhist shrine.
At times I peel a kiwi
For Maria, at times a pear.
At times I say nembutsu
While scouring a greasy pan.
One cannot nurse resentments
Surrounded by
teacups and herbs.
Arguments last a few minutes
But gratitude a lifetime.
| 3 | Amida's Mind |
Don't make things too difficult,
For yourself or for others.
Take what
is given to you,
It comes from Amida's Mind.
This autumn day with its
leaves
Golden against a blue sky
Grasp its promise with both hands,
It
will never dawn again.
Impossible dreams haunt us
And some things have
to be done.
Let us surrender our will
To a power greater than ourselves.